Soccer-Rapinoe kneels during US national anthem to support Kaepernick

Sept five (Reuters) – American women’s soccer celebrity Megan Rapinoe knelt throughout the U.S. national anthem at a Sunday in shape, calling it a planned flow to aid NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who stoked controversy by using floating the way of life of standing at some stage in the music. “It changed into very intentional,” Rapinoe instructed American soccer Now following a healthy in Illinois between the Chicago Crimson Stars and her very own team, the Seattle Reign. “It turned into a bit nod to Kaepernick and the whole lot that he’s status for proper now.” Kaepernick, a San Francisco 49er quarterback, on Thursday, carried on with his protest in opposition to racial injustice and police brutality before his team’s Thursday game towards the San Diego Chargers, by refusing to stand all through The superstar Spangles Banner. A week earlier the athlete raised the ire of many lovers whilst he remained seated via the anthem earlier than his crew’s recreation towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers. Many Americans noticed his gesture as a signal of disrespect to the flag and criticism was sizable, but Kaepernick has also been supported by using a few fellow players — and now by way of Rapinoe.

“I assume it’s surely quite disgusting the manner he was treated and the manner that a variety of the media has covered it and made it approximately some thing that it absolutely is not,” Rapinoe said. “Being a gay American, I recognise what it means to look at the flag and not have it defend all of your liberties,” she introduced. Rapinoe stated that at the same time as her gesture changed into “some thing small,” she deliberate to keep doing it to “spark a few meaningful conversation.” (Reporting via Chris Michaud; modifying by way of Amlan Chakraborty)